Tuesday briefing: What the Simon Levy case tells us about the women the justice system keeps failing

The recent sentencing of Simon Levy, a registered sex offender, to a rare whole life tariff for the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins serves as a stark reminder of how the justice system often fails vulnerable women. Both victims, along with others targeted by Levy, were involved in sex work and were considered easy targets by the offender.

Levy, whose history of sexual offending dates back to at least 2018, specifically chose women who sold sex as his victims. This decision stemmed from a belief that he could commit these crimes with impunity, a dangerous assumption that highlights the systemic neglect and lack of protection afforded to sex workers.

The case, detailed in a recent newsletter, points to a critical failure in identifying and protecting individuals most at risk of violence. It emphasizes the urgent need for the justice system to address the specific vulnerabilities faced by sex workers and ensure their voices are heard and their safety prioritized.

In other news, Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice dismissed climate change concerns, urging people to enjoy heatwaves. Meanwhile, Donald Trump reportedly threatened to bomb Oman if it interfered with ending the US-Israel war on Iran. The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has become the country's deadliest.